This month, we started to see some action in 2026 Senate races. We’re also seeing congressional Democrats continue to grapple with how exactly to handle legislative fights—and not finding many answers.
There is, however, positive political action for Democrats in the states and down-ballot, where we’re overperforming in special elections and our town halls are packed. These grassroots are where we could be seeing the beginnings of a strategy to fight Trump 2.0.
More on that, but first …
10th Anniversary Update
The soft launch of our 10th anniversary celebrations is humming along with a few updates to our website:
- Click here to see our updated 10th anniversary logo
- And here to see an updated timeline of our history
We’re also hiring. Please click here to view our job announcements and share them with your networks.
US Senate: Missing Men (Not)
This is new: Some of next year’s most competitive US Senate races could be missing something big—the presence of any viable male candidate.
- We’re seeing this already in Minnesota, where the two likely front-running candidates are Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and US Rep. Angie Craig, who is expected to declare her candidacy next week. The third candidate in that race is former state Sen. Melisa Lopez-Franzen.
- In Michigan, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg won’t run for US Senate (likely eyeing instead another run for the presidency). There are no declared candidates yet, but we expect the eventual primary pool to include some combination of state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Rep. Haley Stevens, Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, and state Attorney General Dana Nessel. All are considering the race and will likely make announcements over the next two weeks.
- And while there’s no official news yet, we’re closely watching Illinois, where Sen. Dick Durbin has not announced his re-election plans. If he retires, two likely frontrunners would be Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and US Rep. Lauren Underwood.
The only state bucking this trend is New Hampshire, where US Rep. Chris Pappas is the Democratic favorite, although Rep. Maggie Goodlander is also considering a run.
📰 Analysis & News:
Don’t Jump to Conclusions About Democratic Open Senate Seats [Cook Political Report]
Shaheen Retirement Gives GOP an Opportunity, but Race Stays in Lean D [Cook]
Scoop: Haley Stevens nears decision on Michigan Senate run [Axios]
Democrat Angie Craig on How to Win Back Rural Midwestern Voters [TIME]
People Are “Terrified.” Mallory McMorrow Has a Democratic Blueprint for Hope [Vanity Fair]
A Rising Democratic Star Is Ready for New Leadership—Without Chuck Schumer [Politico]
Jeanne Shaheen discusses decision not to run in 2026 [WBUR]
Dominoes if Durbin doesn’t run [Politico]
US House: GOP’s 26 ’26 Targets Drop
House race announcements have been slower to take shape, but there were four key developments this month:
- Rebecca Cooke announced she will challenge Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-3) for a second time. She lost by less than 3 points in 2024;
- Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced she will not enter the special for the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s (AZ-7) seat. So far, there are no other female prospects for this safe Democratic seat.
- Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards announced she will run for another safe Democratic seat whose incumbent, Rep. Sylvester Turner (TX-18), recently passed away. This will be her third try for the seat; she challenged Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee—who passed away last year—in the Democratic primary, then lost the general to Turner.
- House Republicans released their initial list of 26 incumbent Democrats they’ll target for defeat in 2026. On the list are Nellie Pou (NJ-9)*, Susie Lee (NV-3), Dina Titus (NV-1), Laura Gillen (NY-4)*, Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8)* and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3).
*Indicates a freshman member.
💵 Donate: 2026 House Head Start Slate
📰 Analysis & News:
The Sweet Sixteen: 2024’s Crossover Districts [Cook Political Report]
Democrat Rebecca Cooke to again challenge US Rep. Derrick Van Orden [WPR]
Amanda Edwards to run to succeed the late-U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner [Texas Tribune]
Mike Johnson targets Harris territory to expand his majority [Axios]
Allure of higher office could hinder House Democrats’ midterm hopes [The Hill]
State & Local: Special Election Dispatch
Democrats have been doing well in special elections this month, a trend we saw during the first Trump term. On March 11, In Iowa, Republicans held by only 4 points a state House seat that Donald Trump won last year by 27 points. That same night, Minnesota Democrats won a special House election that led to tied control of the chamber.
These are hopefully setting the stage for victory in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. One of the Court’s liberal justices is retiring, putting control of the 4-3 body—and its decisions on issues like abortion and gerrymandering—at stake. To date, PACs linked to Elon Musk have spent $14.6 million against the Democrat-backed candidate, Susan Crawford.
That special election is next Tuesday, April 1.
💵 Donate: 2025 Spring Races | Wisconsin
There are also congressional special elections for Florida’s 1st and 6th Congressional Districts that day, which we’re watching for turnout intel but don’t expect Democrats to win.
🔖 Bookmark: Podcast: Pantsuits and Lawsuits with AGs Kris Mayes and Dana Nessel
📰 Analysis & News:
The first big US political test in 2025 becomes a referendum on Elon Musk [PBS Wisconsin]
Republicans keep House seat in tight Iowa special election victory [Des Moines Register]
Democrat wins special election, bringing Minnesota House to a tie [MN Reformer]
Democrat Notches an Upset in Pennsylvania State Senate Race [NYT]
Natl. and FL Dems coordinate fresh investment in CD 1, CD 6 Special Elections [FL Politics]
Lucy McBath takes first step toward Georgia governor run [Politico]
New York mayoral candidate eyes sorority network that boosted Kamala Harris [Politico]
National & Women: The Budget Fight That Wasn’t
Democrats are still struggling to figure out exactly how we #resist during the second Trump presidency, and most of us were disappointed—to put it mildly—when Senate Democrats helped Republicans pass Trump’s budget plan earlier this month, averting a government shutdown. The US is scheduled to breach the debt ceiling as soon as July, setting up another legislative fight that Democrats must have a plan for.
We’re not seeing that take shape in Congress—yet. But we are seeing more movement on the activist front, from raucous scenes of ’empty chair’ town halls to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez barnstorming the country and drawing gigantic crowds. As Trump continues to dismantle checks and balances, we are going to need to continue to fight him on all fronts.
The Electing Women Alliance is proud to continue to fight on the political fundraising front, bringing women into community with one another to support the next generation of female political leadership.
Several of our groups have already hosted Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in their races for governor of Virginia and New Jersey—this year!—and we’ve raised record amounts as a network. We look forward to sharing those totals on our next EWA zoom in April, when our special guest will be Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek.
👥 Join Us: Click here to sign up for our next monthly Zoom on April 10 with special guest Gov. Tina Kotek.
🔖 Bookmark: Find A People’s Town Hall Near You [DNC]
📰 Analysis & News:
Democrats Expect a 2026 Comeback. But Will Free Elections Even Exist? [Vanity Fair]
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans [The Atlantic]
Democrats Plan Nationwide Blitz of Town Halls in Republican Districts [NYT]
Where Have All the Pussyhats Gone? [The Bulwark]